Labor Market

Kansas Labor Market

Kansas workers are a driving factor in the expansion of our state’s economy. With outstanding schools and good partnerships betweenindustry and education, Kansas businesses have access to a workforce that is prepared to meet the needs of companies in a highly competitive global economy. Though much of the state’s population is concentrated in metropolitan areas, firms locating in any region of the state will find a motivated and skilled workforce ready to put its talent to work.

Unlike most states, Kansas combines economic development and workforce services in its Department of Commerce. This combinationcreates a seamless experience for employers as they seek assistance in addressing their employment needs. It also helps to ensure that workforce services programs are employer demand-driven and focused on providing the skilled workforce sought by Kansas employers.

Recruitment and screening assistance is available at no cost through KANSASWORKS Workforce Centers across the state.A list of these locations can be found at KANSASWORKS.com

KANSASWORKS.com is a website for both jobseekers and employers. Companies can list their job vacancies on this site at nocost and can also search resumes posted by jobseekers.

When a company takes the KanVet pledge, KANSASWORKS staff will work with that company to link qualified veterans to jobopenings.

The Kansas WORKReady! Certificate is awarded to job seekers taking the ACT WORK Keys tests (reading for information, appliedmathematics, locating information). Many Kansas employers utilize this tool as a key measure of work readiness and prefercandidates scoring at specific levels of performance. A map reflecting the number of KansasWORKReady! Certificates attained by level in each county can be found at KANSASWORKS.com.

Workforce Aligned with Industry Demand (Workforce AID) is a partnership between Commerce and the Board of Regentsimplementing pilot projects to align workforce training and education with industry opportunities and demand, linkingeducation to a job.

The Governor’s Career Technical Education Initiative through the Kansas Board of Regents is a highly unique program focusedon developing the pipeline of future employees in Kansas. This program allows Kansas high school juniors and seniors to taketechnical education courses through a community or technical college and have the tuition paid for by the state.